English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 8:2
2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
2 Corinthians 8:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
- New International Version (NIV)In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
- New King James Version (NKJV)that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
Context of 2 Corinthians 8:2
1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—
Read all of 2 Corinthians 82 Corinthians 8:2 word by word
ὅτι ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ θλίψεως ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- How thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- a greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- trialδοκιμήdokimē · testG1382
- of afflictionθλῖψιςthlipsis · pressureG2347
- the abundanceπερισσείαperisseia · excessG4050
- of theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- joyχαράchara · joyG5479
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- ·κατάkata · according toG2596
- deepβάθοςbathos · depthG899
- povertyπτωχείαptōcheia · povertyG4432
- aboundedπερισσεύωperisseuō · to exceedG4052
- untoεἰςeis · towardG1519
- the richesπλοῦτοςploutos · richesG4149
- liberalityἁπλότηςhaplotēs · opennessG572
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 8:2
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
- Nehemiah 8:10Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
- Acts 2:45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
- Mark 12:42And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
- Luke 21:1Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,
- James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
- Revelation 2:9"'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
- 2 Corinthians 6:10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
- 2 Corinthians 9:11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
- Deuteronomy 15:4But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess—
- Proverbs 11:25Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
- Isaiah 32:5The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
- Romans 12:8the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2In a great trial of affliction - The sense of this verse is the following: The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly that an opportunity was afforded them of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. We can scarcely ever speak of poverty and affliction in an absolute sense; they are only comparative. Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves; and the afflicted, to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2How that, in a great trial of affliction - When it might be supposed they were unable to give; when many would suppose they needed the aid of others; or when it might be supposed their minds would be wholly engrossed with their own concerns. The trial to which the apostle here refers was doubtless some persecution which was excited against them, probably by the Jews; see Acts 16:20; Acts 17:5. The abundance of their joy - Their joy arising from the hopes…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2The churches in Macedonia included the church in Philippi. According to Acts and Philippians, this church faced many troubles and was very poor. Despite this, they generously sent gifts to Paul and supported the collection (8:4–5; Philippians 1:5; 2:25–30; 4:15–20).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. trial of affliction--The Greek expresses, "in affliction (or, 'tribulation') which tested them"; literally, "in a great testing of affliction." abundance of their joy--The greater was the depth of their poverty, the greater was the abundance of their joy. A delightful contrast in terms, and triumph, in fact, of spirit over flesh. their deep poverty--Greek, "their poverty down to the death of it." abounded unto the riches of their liberality--another…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 8:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries